52d  Congress,  )  HOUSE  OF  EEPRESENTATIYES.     (  Ex.  Doc. 
1st  Session.     \  \    l^o.  29. 


re 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YOEK. 


LETTER 

FROM 

THE  Amm  SECRETARY  OF  WAR, 

TRANSMITTING, 

With  a  letter  from  the  Chief  of  Engineers^  report  of  the  examination  and 
survey  of  Jamaica  Bay^  New  York, 


January  5,  1892. — Referred  to  the  Committee  on  Rivers  and  Harbors  and  ordered 

to  be  printed. 


War  Depart^hent, 
Washington^  December  8,  1891. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  inclose,  herewith,  a  letter  from  the  Chief 
of  Engineers  dated  November  20,  1891,  together  with  eoi)ies  of  reports 
from  Lieut.  Col.  G.  L.  Gillespie,  Corps  of  Engineers,  dated  December 
16,  1890,  and  October  29,  1891,  of  a  preliminary  examination  and  sur- 
vey for  canS.1  from  main  channel  from  Jamaica  Bay  easterly  to  Long- 
Beach  Inlet,  New  York,  and  on  survey  of  eastern  part  of  Jamaica  Bay, 
New  York,  made  by  him  in  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
river  and  harbor  act  of  September  19,  1890. 
Yery  respectfully, 

L.  A.  Grant, 
Acting  Secretary  of  War, 
The  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Eepresentatives, 


Office  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers, 

United  States  Army, 
Washington^  D.  0.,  November  20,  1891. 
Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  herewith,  in  compliance  with  the 
provisions  of  the  river  and  harbor  act  approved  September  19,  1890, 
copy  of  report  of  Lieut.  Col.  G.  L.  Gillespie,  Corps  of  Engineers,  dated 
December  16,  1890,  on  preliminary  examination  for  canal  from  main 
channel  from  Jamaica  Bay  easterly  to  Long  Beach  Inlet,  New  York ; 
and  copy  of  report,  with  map,  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gillesi)ie,  dated 
October  29,  1891,  on  survey  of  eastern  part  of  Jamaica  Bay,  New  York, 
H.  Ex,  30  1 


2 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK. 


For  tlie  reasons  given  in  the  report  on  tlie  preliminary  examination, 
only  the  western  portion  of  the  waterway  mentioned  in  the  act  is  con- 
sidered worthy  of  improvement.  The  improvement  proposed  contem- 
plates the  excavation  of  a  navigable  water-way,  60  feet  wide  and  5  feet 
deep  at  mean  low  water,  from  Beach  Channel  to  some  point  on  the 
eastern  shore  of  Jamaica  Bay.  Three  routes,  with  estimates,  are  sub- 
mitted as  follows : 

1.  From  Beach  Channel,  through  Conch  Hole,  to  Citizens  Cut  at  Far  Rocka- 

way   $21,406 

2.  From  Beach  Channel,  through  Bass  Channel,  to  Citizens  Cut  at  Far  Rocka- 

way   18, 920 

3.  From  Beach  Channel,  through  Bass  Channel,  to  eastern  shore  of  Jamaica 

Bay,  near  foot  of  Bays  water  avenue   9, 460 

In  connection  with  the  Conch  Hole  route,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gilles- 
pie states — 

If  an  appropriation  he  made  for  making  an  artificial  waterway  through  the  east- 
ern part  of  Jamaica  Bay,  along  the  Conch  Hole  route,  the  act  should  provide  that 
the  money  shall  not  become  available  until  after  the  right  of  way  over  such  parts 
as  lie  above  high  water  shall  have  been  ceded  to  the  Government  free  of  charge. 

Yery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

Thos.  Lincoln  Casey, 
Brig,  Gen.,  Chief  of  Engineers, 

Hon.  Eedfield  Proctor, 

Secretary  of  War. 


PRELIMINARY  EXAMINATION  FROM  MAIN  CHANNEL  FROM  JAMAICA  BAY 
EASTERLY  TO  LONG  BEACH  INLET,  NEW  YORK,  FOR  CANAL. 

Engineer  Office,  U.  S.  Army, 
New  lorkj  JSf.  F.,  December  16,  1890. 
General:  In  obedience  to  letter  of  the  Chief  of  Engineers  dated 
September  20,  1890,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report 
upon  the  preliminary  examination  "  From  Main  Channel  from  Jamaica 
Bay,  New  York,  easterly  to  Long  Beach  Inlet,  for  canal,"  for  which 
provision  is  contained  in  the  river  and  harbor  act  approved  Septem- 
ber 19,  1890. 

I  made  a  personal  examination  of  the  locality  October  22, 1890,  ac- 
companied by  Mr.  J.  L.  B.  Norton  and  other  prominent  citizens  residing 
in  the  vicinity,  and  was  fully  informed  by  them  of  the  purposes  of  the 
survey. 

The  lands  along  the  southern  shore  of  Long  Island  are  being  rapidly 
converted  into  sites  for  private  residences,  some  of  which  are  used 
the  year  round  by  the  owners,  and  also  for  large  summer  hotels  sur- 
rounded by  cottages  which  furnish  accommodations  during  the  sum- 
mer season  for  numbers  of  persons  from  New  York  City  and  neighbor- 
ing cities,  as  well  as  from  a  distance. 

These  improvements  are  accompanied  by  large  material  interests  of 
a  permanent  character,  resulting  in  the  formation  of  numerous  small 
towns  which  draw  their  supplies  fi-om  New  York  City,  Brooklyn,  and 
elsewhere,  and  which  are  principally  dependent  upon  the  Long  Island 
Eailw^y  for  transportation. 

The  advocates  of  the  survey  claim  that  the  railway  rates  of  transpor- 
tation are  excessive,  and  that  a  great  relief  would  be  given  to  them 
from  these  exactions  if  the  waterways  through  Jamaica  Bay,  liockaway 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK. 


3 


Inlet,  and  the  Great  South  Bay  vv^ere  improved  so  that  supplies  could 
be  delivered  at  Arverne,  Far  J^ockaway,  Lawrence,  and  other  small 
towns  adjacent,  independently  of  the  railroad. 

The  subject  of  inland  navigation  along  the  south  shore  of  Long 
Island  was  discussed  by  Lieut.  Col.  Walter  McFarland,  Corps  of  En- 
gineers, in  a  report  submitted  to  the  Chief  of  Engineers,  December  31, 
3886  (Annual  Report  Chief  of  Engineers,  1887,  p.  754),  in  compliance 
with  river  and  harbor  act  of  August  5,  1886,  which  provided  for  a 
survey  for  a  "channel  between  Jamaica  Bay  and  Rockaway  Inlet." 
Colonel  McFarland  states  in  his  report  that  the  survey  of  1886  had  for  its 
object  the  determination  of  "the  cost  of  opening  an  inner  line  of  water 
communication  for  boats  of  light  draft  from  the  Great  South  Bay  on 
the  south  side  of  Long  Island  to  Jamaica  Bay  west  of  it  by  means  of  a 
cut  through  the  narrow  neck  of  land  (Far  Eockaway)  which  separates 
these  bays,"  and  shows  that  if  the  project  contemplated  by  the  survey 
were  carried  out,  it  would  not  provide  for  a  navigable  passage  through 
Jamaica  and  South  baj  s  for  the  reason  that  those  bays  had  many  other 
shoals  east  and  west  of  the  termini  of  the  proposed  cut,  "between 
which  the  channels  are  so  shallow,  narrow,  and  tortuous  that  they  may 
be  considered  practically  unnavigable,"  and  that  a  navigable  water- 
way which  would  meet  the  alleged  commercial  necessities  of  South  Bay 
and  Jamaica  Bay  could  not  be  estimated  for  except  on  a  survey  extend- 
ing from  Patchogue  to  Jamaica  Bay,  a  distance  of  45  miles. 

The  water  conditions  to-day  are  practically  the  same  as  in  1886.  The 
entrance  to  Jamaica  Bay  is  through  Eockaway  Inlet,  between  Coney 
Island  and  Eockaway  Beach. 

The  depth  of  water  on  the  bar  is  12 J  to  13  feet  mean  low  water,  but 
inside  the  bar  there  is  good  anchorage  for  vessels  drawing  25  feet  of 
water  as  far  eastward  as  the  western  entrance  to  Beach  Channel,  which 
leads  to  the  new  town  of  Arverne,  on  Eockaway  Beach,  1  mile  to  the  east- 
ward of  the  Old  Eockaway  Hotel.  Thence  the  water  shoals  to  5  feet,  mean 
low  water,  at  the  western  entrance  to  Conch  Hole  on  the  approach  to  the 
Citizens  Cut|at  Far  Eockaway,  which  leads  into  Far  Eockaway  Bay. 
From  the  eastern  entrance  to  Conch  Hole  to  the  western  entrance  to 
the  Far  Eockaway  Cut,  a  distance  of  one-half  mile  approximately,  the 
bed  of  the  bay  is  bare  at  low  tide.  The  mean  range  of  tides  in  Ja- 
maica Bay  is  4J  feet,  approximately. 

The  Long  Beach  Inlet  is  a  small  and  unimportant  water  way  be- 
tween Shelter  Island  and  Long  Beach,  connecting  Broad  Channel  at 
the  western  end  of  Hempstead  Bay  with  the  ocean,  and  is  known  upon 
the  charts  as  East  Eockaway  Inlet  or  Hog  Inlet  (Coast  Survey  Chart 
No.  119).    The  depth  on  the  bar  at  mean  low  water  is  about  5  feet. 

Passing  to  the  eastward  around  the  network  of  islands  of  varying 
size  which  largely  compose  Hempstead  Bay,  and  which  at  low  tide  are 
separated  by  small  drains  or  threads  of  water  impracticable  of  improve- 
ment at  reasonable  cost  for  any  except  very  small  boats,  no  continuous 
channel  for  5  feet  depth  at  mean  low  water  is  found  until  Great  South 
Bay  is  reached,  opposite  Babylon,  a  distance  of  20  miles  in  an  air  line. 

As  the  act  of  September  19,  1890,  fixes  the  eastern  terminus  of  tbe 
examination  at  Long  Beach  Inlet,  no  improvement  through  Hempstead 
Bay,  which  has  reference  to  a  larger  and  more  important  inland  naviga- 
tion through  the  Great  South  Bay,  seems  contemplated. 

The  two  principal  bodies  of  water  at  the  western  end  of  the  south 
shore  of  Long  Island,  separated  from  the  ocean  by  beaches,  wliich  can 
be  profitably  used  for  commercial  purposes,  are  Jamaica  Bay  and  Great 
South  Bay;  the  entrance  to  the  former,  at  Eockaway  Inlet,  is  18  miles, 


4 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK. 


and  to  tiie  latter,  at  Fire  Island  Inlet,  is  50  miles  fronj  Kew  York,  by- 
way of  the  Narrows.  They  have  no  direct  navigable  intercommunica- 
tion, as  I  have  shown,  and  if  one  were  made  artificially  it  would  be  over 
30  miles  long  and  would  be  of  uncertain  maintenance  and  utihty.  Any 
canal  of  shorter  length  than  30  miles  would  be  of  no  practical  value,  and 
it  is  not  believed  that  an  ultimate  improvement  so  extensive  and  costly 
was  contemplated  by  the  act  under  which  this  report  is  made. 

The  examination  desired  has,  therefore,  only  a  local  bearing.  Eocka- 
way  Beach  and  its  eastern  continuation.  Far  Eockaway  Beach,  is  part 
of  the  mainland,  which  has  only  lately  been  made  an  island  by  the 
small  artificial  cut  at  Far  Eockaway,  and  the  bay  of  Far  Eockaway  is 
but  a  shoal  lagoon,  which  is  filled  and  emptied  by  tides  passing  through 
Little  Inlet  and  East  Eockaway  Inlet,  with  a  slight  increment  coming 
through  the  cut. 

Little  Inlet,  which  opens  into  Far  Eockaway  Bay,  is  hardly  more 
than  a  low  depression  in  the  beach,  and  its  tendency  is  to  shoal  up  the 
lagoon  of  which  it  is  a  partial  outlet. 

The  personal  examination  which  I  havemade  on  the  ground  and  a  care- 
ful study  of  the  latest  charts  lead  me  to  think  that  it  will  be  imprac- 
ticable to  open  or  to  maintain,  if  opened,  a  fairly  good  navigable  chan- 
nel, if  such  were  needed,  through  Far  Eockaway  Bay,  except  at  a  cost 
disproportionate  to  the  benefit  to  be  derived  from  it,  owing  to  its  great 
exposure  to  inroads  from  the  sea.  The  covering  beach  is  low  and  nar- 
row and  shows  evidence  of  old  breaches  through  it  other  than  those 
which  now  exist,  and  it  is  not  at  all  certain  that  the  western  end  has 
not  been  seriously  damaged  by  tidal  currents  propagated  through  the 
artificial  cut  at  Far  Eockaway.  For  this  reason  I  shall  discard  any 
consideration  of  this  part  of  the  subject.  It  alone  remains  to  consider 
the  connection  between  Jamaica  Bay  and  Far  Eockaway. 

The  persons  whom  I  have  seen  in  relation  to  it  or  who  have  sent 
written  statements  for  my  information  and  study  all  unite  in  testi- 
fying that  the  improvement  most  urgently  needed,  and  to  which  refer- 
ence was  mainly  intended  to  be  made  by  the  act,  is  the  excavation  of 
a  small  canal  less  than  one-half  mile  long,  50  feet  wide  and  5  feet  deep, 
mean  low  water,  extending  from  the  eastern  end  of  Conch  Hole, 
Jamaica  Bay,  to  the  artificial  cut  at  Far  Eockaway,  to  the  end  that  sup- 
plies of  coal,  lumber,  cement,  brick,  hardware,  feed,  and  general  arti- 
cles of  merchandise  may  be  delivered  to  the  growing  communities  ac- 
cessible to  Far  Eockaway  free  from  the  excessive  taxation  for  trans- 
portation now  imposed  by  the  Long  Island  Eailroad. 

It  is  estimated  (inclosures  herewith)  that  the  tonnage  of  such  a  canal 
would  exceed  500,000  tons  annually  and  that  the  saving  on  freight  to 
the  citizens  would  be  $500,000  annually.  These  figures  seem  high  and 
I  give  them  as  they  have  been  furnished  to  me  with  the  remark  that  if 
the  tonnage  equals  one-fourth  the  estimate  the  cost  of  opening  the  de- 
sired water  way  will  be  justifiable. 

If  this  improvement  be  made  it  will  be  as  practicable  to  reach  Far 
Eockaway  at  high  tide  with  vessels  drawing  9  feet  of  water  as  it  now  is 
to  reach  Oanarsie  and  Sheepshead  Bay,  whose  channels  have  been  im- 
proved by  Government  aid. 

For  the  foregoing  reasons  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  the  water  way 
"from  main  channel  from  Jamaica  Bay,  Kew  York,  easterly  to  Long 
Beach  Inlet  for  canal,"  is  not  "  worthy  of  improvement." 

The  eastern  part  of  Jamaica  Bay  from  the  main  ship  channel  easterly 
through  Conch  Hole  to  the  Citizens  Cut  at  Far  Eockaway,  which  forms 
the  western  part  of  the  water  way  mentioned  in  the  act,  is  worthy  of 
improvemeut^'  to  the  extent  of  opening  a  canal  60  feet  wide,  affording  5 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK. 


6 


feet  depth  at  mean  low  water.    The  estimated  cost  of  making  the  nec- 
essary survey  and  preparing  charts  and  estimates  of  cost  is  $400. 
Yery  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  L.  Gillespie, 
Lieut  Col,  of  Engineers. 

Brig.  Gen.  Thomas  L.  Casey, 

Chief  of  Engineers^  U,  8.  A. 


LETTERS  OF  MR.  JOHN  L.  B.  NORTON. 


(1.) 

Far  Rockaway,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  Octoler  24,  1890. 

Dear  Sir:  In  regard  to  my  application  for  opening  canal  passed  in  the  last  river 
and  harbor  bill,  I  would  suggest  that  the  said  canal  commence  at  channel  of  Jamaica 
Bay  and  extend  easterly  through  Nortons  Creek  to  Rockaway  Inlet,  thence  easterly 
to  East  Rockaway  Inlet. 

The  proposed  route  is  about  5  miles,  of  which  about  4  miles  already  has  a  depth 
of  water  of  from  5  to  14  feet,  and  by  connecting  1  mile  through  Jamaica  Bay  to  Inlet 
would  give  water  connection  for  the  5  miles. 

I  would  also  suggest  that  the  work  commence  at  the  creek,  working  westerly  to 
main  channel,  having  good  water  there,  which  is  now  a  depth  of  11  feet  at  low  tide. 

I  would  also  s  uggest  that  the  canal  be  50  feet  wide  and  have  a  depth  of  5  feet  at 
low  water.  The  current  will  deepen  and  widen  the  same.  The  course  of  the.  cur- 
rent is  from  the  creek  westerly  to  Bass  Channel. 

Inclosed  you  will  find  benefits  to  be  derived  by  shippers.  For  the  oyster  and 
clam  trade  I  refer  you  to  reports  made  by  P.  N.  Davenport  and  others. 

There  are  200  registered  vessels  in  Jamaica  Bay,  most  of  whom  would  use  canal  if 
opened,  the  1  mile  from  Jamaica  Bay  to  Inlet. 

The  cost  to  consumers  of  coal  here  now  is  $6.50  to  $7  per  ton.  The  coal  costs  at  coal 
pockets,  Jersey  City,  $3.50,  and  if  transported  by  water  in  barges  without  transferring 
could  be  shipped  at  a  very  small  figure,  about  25  or  30  cents  per  ton,  and  could  be 
sold  here  at  $5  per  ton  if  canal  were  opened,  making  a  saving  of  $2  per  ton  to  con- 
sumers, and  other  material  in  proportion. 
Yours  respectfully, 

John  L.  B.  Norton. 

Lieut.  Col.  G.  L.  Gillespie. 

#   

(2.) 

Far  Rockawat,  Long  Island,  N.  Y. 
Dear  Sir  :  In  reply  to  yours,  I  hereby  send  you  a  list  of  shipments. 


Present 
cost. 


Cost  by 
water 
route. 


To  Arverne : 

Lumber,  20,000  tons,  at  $1.90  per  ton  

Bricks,  25,000.  at  $1.80  per  M  

Lime  and  cement.  4.000  barrels,  at  16  cents  per  barrel  

Flour  and  feed,  200  tons,  at  $1.60  per  ton  ."  

Hay,  200  tons,  at  $1.80  per  ton  

Soil  for  highway  and  private  roadways.  30,000  tons,  at  80  cents  per  ton 

Hardware  and  sundries,  1.000  tons,  at  $2  per  ton  

Coal,  3,000  tons,  at  $1  per  ton  

500  passengers  per  day  for  90  days,  45,000,  at  70  cents  round  trip  

To  Far  Rockawav : 

Lumber,  250.000  tons,  at  $1.90  per  ton  

Bricks,  80,000,  at  $1.80  per  M  

Lime  and  cement,  75.  000  tons, ,  at  $1.60  per  ton    

Flour  and  feed,  50,000  tons,  at  $1.50  per  ton  

Hay,  25,000  tons,  at  $1  80  per  t<m  

Stone  and  macademizing  for  highways,  30,000  tons,  at  $1  per  ton  

Hardware,  groceries,  etc.,  10,000  tons,  at  $3  per  ton  

Coal,  30,000  t<>ns,  at  $1  p^r  ton  

4,000  passengers  per  day  for  90  days,  360,  000,  at  70  cents  round  trip  

Present  cost  

Cost  by  water  route  

Saving  to  shippers  


$38, 000 
45,  000 
640 
320 
360 
24, 000 

2,  000 

3,  000 
31,500  I 

475.000 
144, 000 
120, 000 
75. 000 
45,  000 
30. 000 
30,  000 
30, 000 
252,  000 


1,  345.  820 
I       792, 300 


$20, 000 
25,  000 
400 
200 
200 
15.  000 
1,  500 
1.500 
22,  500 

250, 000 
80,  000 
75.  000 
50,  000 
25,  000 
21,  000 
20.  000 
15.  000 

180,  000 


792,  300 


553,  520 


6 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK. 


This  freight  has  increased  100  per  cent  in  the  last  three  years.  Freight,  such  as 
lumber,  etc.,  can  be  shipped  at  Buffalo  or  Albany  direct,  without  breaking  bulk  for 
$2  per  ton. 

Yours,  truly, 

John  L.  B.  Norton. 

Lieut.  Col.  G.  L.  Gillespie. 


(3.) 

Sir  :  Inclosed  you  will  find  number  of  tons  of  various  articles  shipped  to  the  fol- 
lowing places  during  the  fiscal  year  1890 : 


Arverne :  Tons- 

G.  A.  Brandeth,  lumber  and  builders'  material   250 

Remington  Vernam,  lumber,  etc   3,  750 

Stone  and  soil  for  public  roads   50,  000 

Miscellaneous    3, 120 


57,120 


Number  of  guests  at  Arverne  Hotel  during  summer,  21,000. 

Far  Rockaway : 

William  A.  Wynn,  meats,  etc   295 

Exports   520 

Martin  F.  Croft,  coal  and  wood   3,  000 

Thomas  Dolan,  coal  and  wood.   3, 000 

Grain,  flour,  and  feed   10,  000 

S.  H.  Norton,  coal  and  wood   6, 000 

Miscellaneous   108, 105 


130, 920 


About  451,801  passengers  during  the  year  to  and  from  the  city. 
Inwood : 

F.  Davenport  &  Son,  general  groceries   750 

M.  J.  Furman,  meats,  etc   150 

John  R.  Duftus,  vegetables,  etc   50 

.  George  W.  Smith,  general  groceries   750 

Oysters  taken  by  wagons  that  would  be  shipped  by  canal   1, 000 

(See  P.  N.  Davenport,  report  of  October  10, 1890.) 

Shipped  from  this  place   10,  000 

Miscellaneous   500 


13,  200 


Lawrence : 

John  H.  Smith,  builders'  material   2, 000 

J.  A.  Wood  &  Son,  builders'  material   2,  200 

Iron  piping,  plumbing  materials,  etc   500 

J.  R.  Wood  &  Son,  builders'  material   250 

Manure,  etc   200 


5, 150 


Three  hundred  passengers  daily. 

Cedarhurat  and  Woodsburg : 

F.  H.  Weyant,  coal  and  wood   3, 000 

F.  A.  Darling,  general  groceries   ^, 

F.  K.  Walsh,  hardware,  etc   250 

Lumber..........  ,  --   6,280 


11,530 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK.  7 


East  Rockaway: 

Freight  carried  by  vessels :  Tons. 

Lumber,  lime,  brick,  cement   144,  865 

Grain,  flour,  and  feed   120 

Coal   5,000 

Hardware   50 

Manure   ,  300 

Oysters   15,000 

Freight  carried  by  railroad : 

Lumber  and  oysters   90,  000 


254,  835 


Rockville  Center: 

Oysters   1,080 

Coal   7,  000 

Lumber   3, 120 

Lime  and  brick   1,  000 

Hardware,  groceries,  etc   500 


12,  700 

Yours,  truly, 

J.  L.  B.  Norton. 

Lieut.  Col.  G.  L.  Gillespie. 


SURVEY  OF  EASTERN  PART  OF  JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK,  BEING  WEST- 
ERN PART  OF  ROUTE  FROM  JAMAICA  BAY  EASTERLY  TO  LONG  BEACH 
INLET. 

Engineer  Office,  TJ.  S.  Army, 

New  Yorlt,      Y.,  October  29,  1891. 

General:  In  obedience  to  instructions  contained  in  your  letter  ot 
December  19,  1890,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  report,  accompanied 
by  illustrative  chart,  on  the  survey  of  western  part  of  route  from 
main  channel  from  Jamaica  Bay  easterly  to  Long  Beach  Inlet,  for 
canal,"  made  to^comply  with  the  requirements  contained  in  the  river 
and  harbor  act  approved  September  19, 1890. 

For  the  reasons  stated  in  my  preliminary  report  upon  the  same  sub- 
ject, dated  December  16,  1890,  the  survey  was  limited  to  the  eastern 
part  of  Jamaica  Bay,  as  that  part  alone  of  the  water  route  referred  to 
in  the  act  was  stated  to  be    worthy  of  improvement.'^ 

The  purpose  to  be  effected  by  the  proposed  improvement  is  not  to 
open  a  navigable  waterway  to  connect  Jamaica  Bay  with  the  Great 
South  Bay  by  way  of  Eockaway  Bay,  but  rather  to  form  an  artificial 
waterway,  navigable  by  vessels  drawing  5  feet,  from  Beach  Channel 
to  some  convenient  point  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Jamaica  Bay,  by  which 
the  towns  situated  close  to  the  bay  on  that  side  may  be  supplied  with 
necessary  articles  of  home  consumption  at  cheaper  rates  than  those  now 
fixed  by  the  railroad  company. 

When  the  survey  was  first  undertaken  it  was  supposed,  on  the  state- 
ments of  the  promoters  of  the  proposed  improvement,  that  the  only 
feasible  route  for  the  new  waterway  was  by  way  of  Conch  Hole,  and  it 
was  urged  that  the  estimate  be  made  for  a  canal  one-half  mile  long,  60 
feet  wide,  and  5  feet  deep,  running  in  a  straight  line  from  near  the  center 
of  Conch  Hole  to  the  shore  at  the  highway  bridge-crossing  of  the  Citizens 
Cut,  leading  into  Eockaway  Bay. 

A  close  examination  of  the  chart  prepared  from  the  survey  indicated, 
however,  the  possibility  of  opening  a  channel  to  the  northward  tlirou^uh 
Bass  Channel  which  might  be  shorter  in  length,  require  less  oxcas  a- 
tion,  and  might  be  more  beneficial  to  the  community  than  the  more 


8 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK. 


soutlierly  route.  A  careful  study  of  this  route  and  of  the  estimates  of 
cost  gave  satisfactory  results.  The  channel  by  this  route  may  terminate 
at  some  accessible  and  convenient  point  on  the  eastern  shore  near  the 
foot  of  Bayswater  avenue,  or  it  may  continue  to  the  eastward  along 
the  extension  of  Aunt  Sallie's  drain,  and  stop  at  the  eastern  terminus 
proposed  for  the  Conch  Hole  route.  An  estimate  for  each  of  these 
routes  is  submitted. 

A  route  through  Mgger  Bar  Channel  has  also  been  investigated,  but 
its  length  and  the  difficulties  of  its  maintenance  are  considerations  which 
make  such  a  route  inexpedient  of  adoption. 

It  is  well  to  observe  that  the  straight  canal  along  the  Conch  Hole 
route  will  cross  lands  lying  above  high  water,  through  which  the  owners 
may  be  unwilling  to  have  excavations  made  unless  adequate  compensa- 
tion is  paid  them  for  right  of  way  for  the  canal.  The  Bass  Channel 
routes  are  not  open  to  this  objection,  for  the  bed  of  the  bay  is  not  ex- 
posed at  low  tide  at  any  point,  and  no  question  should  ever  rise  in  re- 
gard to  compensation  for  land  under  water  occupied  as  the  site  for  the 
waterway. 

If  an  appropriation  be  made  for  making  an  artificial  waterway  through 
the  eastern  part  of  Jamaica  Bay  along  the  Conch  Hole  route  the  act 
should  provide  that  the  money  shall  not  become  available  until  after 
the  right  of  way  over  such  parts  as  He  above  high  water  shall  have 
been  ceded  to  the  Government  free  of  charge. 

The  greater  part  of  the  bay  south  and  east  of  Beach  Channel  is  an 
extensive  marsh,  generally  bare  at  low  water,  within  whose  area  there 
are  frequent  marsh  islands  which  are  never  submerged  except  when 
tides  are  abnormally  high.  A  water  route  can  be  readily  and  economi- 
cally opened  through  the  marsh  by  turning  the  excavated  material  over 
in  place,  without  incurring  the  expense  of  transporting  it  to  distant 
points  for  deposit  5  and  if  its  direction  be  favorably  located  in  regard  to 
the  water  passage  connecting  with  Far  Eockaway  Bay,  through  which 
there  is  a  free  circulation  of  tidal  water,  there  is  a  reasonable  certainty 
that  the  improved  depths  will  be  maintained  by  the  action  of  the  tidal 
curren/:s. 

The  following  estimates  of  cost  for  excavating  a  channel  along  the  three 
routes  considered  are  submitted : 

(1)  Conch  Hole, 

From  Beaoh  Channel,  through  Conch  Hole,  to  the  western  entrance  to  Citi- 
zens Cut  at  Far  Rockaway,  west  of  highway  bridge-crossing;  6,250  feet 
long,  60  feet  wide,  and  5  feet  deep,  mean  low  water : 

Dredging,  97,300  cubic  yards  of  material,  scow  measurement,  at  20  cents 


per  cubic  yard  .•   $19, 460 

Contingencies  of  engineering,  10  per  cent   1,  946 

Total  cost   21,  406 

{2)  Bass  Channel. 


From  Beach  Channel,  through  Bass  Channel,  to  western  entrance  to  Citizens 
Cut  at  Far  Rockaway ;  7,375  feet  long,  60  feet  wide,  and  5  feet  deep,  mean 
low  water : 

Dredging,  86,000  cubic  yards  of  material,  scow  measurement,  at  20  cents 

per  cubic  yard   $17,200 

Contingencies  of  engineering,  10  per  cent   1,  720 


Total  cost 


18, 920 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YOEK. 


9 


(3)  Baas  Channel. 


From  Beach  Channel,  through  Bass  Channel,  to  a  point  on  the  eastern  shore 
of  Jamaica  Bay  near  the  foot  of  Bays  water  avenue;  4,650  feet  long,  60 
feet  wide,  and  5  feet  deep,  mean  low  water : 
Dredging,  43,000  cubic  yards  of  material,  scow  measurement,  at  20  cents 

per  cubic  yard   $8,  600 

Contingencies  of  engineering,  10  per  cent   860 

Total  cost...   9,460 


Jamaica  Bay  is  in  the  collection  district  of  New  York.  The  nearest 
fort  is  at  Fort  Hamilton,  Gravesend  Bay,  and  the  nearest  light-house  is 
located  upon  Norton  Point,  Coney  Island,  New  York  Bay. 

The  amount  of  revenue  collected  at  the  port  of  New  York  for  the  year 
ending  June  30,  1891,  was  $147,538,045.69. 

The  amount  of  commerce  which  will  be  benefited  by  the  improve- 
ment considered  in  this  report  can  not  be  accurately  given,  but  it  has 
been  estimated  at  500,000  tons,  which  have  a  valuation  of  $4,500,000. 

No  appropriation  has  ever  been  made  for  the  improvement  of  the 
eastern  half  of  Jamaica  Bay. 

The  vessels  which  navigate  the  eastern  part  of  Jamaica  Bay  are 
usually  of  the  class  engaged  in  the  oyster  trade,  number  about  one  hun- 
dred, and  draw  7  feet  with  center  board  and  4  feet  without  center 
board. 

This  survey  was  executed  under  the  superyision  of  Mr.  Gr.  W.  Kuehnle, 
assistant  engineer,  by  a  hydrographic  party  under  the  immediate  per- 
sonal direction  of  Mr.  John  Johnstone.  I  respectfully  invite  attention 
to  the  accompanying  report  of  Mr.  Kuehnle  for  information  embodying 
the  methods  followed  in  making  the  survey  and  calculations  determin- 
ing the  estimates  of  cost  of  carrying  out  the  several  projects  for  improve- 
ment. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

G.  L.  Gillespie, 
♦  Lt,  Col.  of  Engineers, 

Brig.  Gen.  Thomas  L.  Casey, 

Chief  of  Engineers^  U,  8.  A, 


report  of  mr.  g.  w.  kuehnle,  assistant  engineer. 

United  States  Engineer  Office, 

Neio  York,  N.  ¥.,  October  28,  1891. 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  tlie  following  report  on  the  survey  of  the  western 
part  of  route  from  main  channel  from  Jamaica  B.'iy  easterly  to  Long  Reach  Inlet, 
for  canal,  made  by  your  order  of  December  22,  1890,  in  compliance  with  the  require- 
ments of  river  and  harbor  act  of  September  19,  1890. 

The  survey  was  made  during  the  month  of  September,  1891,  hj  the  hydrographic 
party  in  charge  of  Mr.  John  Johnstone,  surveyor,  under  directions  from  this  office. 
It  embraces  the  eastern  end  of  Jamaica  Bay,  from  Conch  Hole  to  Mott  Point,  and  the 
western  end  of  Far  Rockaway  Bay,  including  the  artificial  cut  connecting  the  two 
bays. 

The  usual  methods  were  used  in  making  the  survey ;  a  base  line  was  measured 
with  great  care  and  a  triangulation  extended  over  the  area  to  be  covered.  All  sound- 
ings and  shore-line  points  were  located  instrumentally  from  the  triangulation  points. 
The  soundings  were  taken  with  a  rod  graduated  in  feet  and  tenths,  and  were  reduced 
to  the  plane  of  mean  low  water  established  by  the  U.  S.  Coast  Survey  in  1878  at 
Holland  Landing,  Jamaica  Bay. 

The  material  composing  the  bed  of  the  bay  is  mainly  sand,  covered  in  part  by  a 
light  coating  of  mud,  and  can  be  readily  removed  by  the  ordinary  methods  of  dredg- 
ing. 


10 


JAMAICA  BAY,  NEW  YORK. 


The  artificial  cut  connecting  Jamaica  Bay  and  Far  Rockaway  Bay  is  crossed  by 
two  fixed  wooden  bridges,  wbicb  prevent  the  passage  of  vessels  from  one  to  the 
other.  The  highway  bridge  is  a  pile  bent  bridge  with  the  bottom  of  the  string  piece 
3.3  feet  above  mean  high  water;  it  had  at  one  time  a  draw,  and  there  is  still  a  space 
of  25.7  feet  in  the  center  without  piles.  The  bridge  of  the  Long  Island  Railroad  is 
a  pile  bent  bridge,  with  bents  from  8  to  10  feet  apart,  and  with  the  bottom  of  the 
string  piece  0.7  feet  above  mean  high  water. 

Estimates  were  made  by  your  direction  for  three  separate  channels : 

(1)  The  channel  desired  by  the  projectors  of  the  survey,  a  straight  canal  60  feet 
wide  and  5  feet  deep,  mean  low  water,  from  Conch  Hole  to  the  western  end  of  the  ar- 
tificial cut.  This  channel  crosses  land  above  high  water,  and  involves  private  prop- 
erty rights  which  will  have  to  be  vested  in  the  United  States  before  work  can  begin 
on  it. 

(2)  A  channel  60  feet  wide  and  5  feet  deep,  mean  low  water,  by  way  of  Bass  Chan- 
nel, to  the  western  end  of  the  artificial  cut.  This  channel  does  not  cross  any  land 
above  high  water,  and  does  not  include  any  private  property. 

(3)  A  channel  60  feet  wide  and  5  feet  deep,  mean  low  water,  by  way  of  Bass  Chan- 
nel, to  the  most  convenient  point  on  the  shore,  at  the  foot  of  Bayswater  Avenue,  Far 
Rockaway. 

Estimate  for  dredging  channels  in  Jamaica  Bay,  New  York,  based  on  survey  of  September, 

1891. 


(1)  For  a  channel  60  feet  wide,  5  feet  deep,  mean  low  water,  and  6,250  feet 
long,  from  Conch  Hole  to  the  western  end  of  artificial  cut : 

Dredging  97,300  cubic  yards  of  material,  scow  measurement,  at  20  cents 

per  cubic  yard  ,  $19, 460 

For  engineering  and  contingencies,  10  per  cent   1, 946 


Total   21, 406 


(2)  For  a  channel  60  feet  wide,  5  feet  deep,  mean  low  water,  and  7,375  feet 
long,  from  entrance  to  Bass  Channel  to  western  end  of  artificial  cut: 
Dredging  86,000  cubic  yards  of  material,  scow  measurement,  at  20  cents 

per  cubic  yard   17, 200 

For  engineering  and  contingencies,  10  per  cent   1, 720 


Total.   18,920 


(3)  For  a  channel  60  feet  wide,  5  feet  deep,  mean  low  water,  and  4,650  feet 
long,  from  entrance  to  Bass  Channel  to  foot  of  Bayswater  Avenue : 

Dredging  43,000  cubic  yards  of  material,  scow  measurement,  at  20  cents 

per  cubic  yard   8, 600 

For  engineering  and  contingencies,  10  per  cent   860 


Total   9, 460 


Respectftdly  submitted. 

G.  W.  KUEHNLE, 

Assistant  Engineer. 

Col.  G.  L.  Gillespie, 

Corps  of  Engineers f  U.  S.  A. 

O 


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